Adapting portable electrical devices to receive power wirelessly

ABSTRACT

Wireless power receiving apparatus  150  is retrofitted to a portable electrical device  100  to enable the device to receive power wirelessly. The apparatus comprises a power-receiving element  200  adapted to be attached to the device, e.g. by adhesive  201 , and also being adapted to receive power wirelessly from a transmitter of power when the element and transmitter are in proximity with one another. One or more power connectors  203  are connected electrically to the power-receiving element and are adapted to be connected, when the apparatus is in use, to one or more corresponding power connectors  101  of the portable electrical device to deliver power received by the element to the device. The power-receiving element may be in the form of a sticker or may be carried by or incorporated in a replacement cover portion for the portable electrical device.

The present invention relates to adapting portable electrical devices toreceive power wirelessly.

Many of today's portable devices contain an internal secondary cell orbattery which may be recharged by temporarily attaching an externaladaptor to the power connector of the device. However this is somethingof a nuisance for users because it requires manual dexterity, requiresboth hands, and, especially, because different manufacturers useincompatible connectors, so the right adaptor must be located for eachdevice.

Various means have been proposed for charging devices without the needto attach an external adaptor. These include:

-   -   A surface providing power by presenting an array of contacts        which then mate with receiving contacts on the device. Examples        include:        -   In academia, the “Networked Surfaces” research conducted by            James Scott and Frank Hoffman of the Laboratory for            Communications Engineering, Engineering Department,            University Of Cambridge,        -   In business, the wire-free electricity base proposed by            MobileWise Inc., U.S.A.    -   A surface providing power to devices by induction, without any        contacts, for example as disclosed in patent publication no.        WO-A-03/96512. In this system, the device incorporates a        substantially flat element for receiving power inductively,        conditioning it and then providing it to the device's battery        and electronics.

These solutions typically require a device design to be modified,typically by the Original Equipment Manufacturer, in order toincorporate the power-receiving element during manufacture. Howeverthere are a very large number of existing portable devices which are notalready enabled. It would therefore be convenient to have a solutionwhereby the user could enable an existing device by simply retrofittinga power-receiving element to it.

-   -   According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is        provided wireless power receiving apparatus for use with a        portable electrical device to enable the device to receive power        wirelessly, the apparatus comprising: a power-receiving element        adapted to be attached to the device, and also being adapted to        receive power wirelessly from a transmitter of power when the        element and transmitter are in proximity with one another; and        one or more power connectors which, when the apparatus is in        use, are connected electrically to the power-receiving element        and are adapted to be connected to one or more corresponding        power connectors of the portable electrical device to deliver        power received by the element to the device.

The benefit of the invention is that it enables users to add wirelesspower transfer capability to their existing portable devices easily.

In use, the user simply attaches the power-receiving element to theportable device and then connects the power connector(s) to thecorresponding power connector(s) (power-input) of the portable device,thus enabling the device to receive power without wires from atransmitter of power (e.g. an external charger) for example by way ofelectromagnetic induction.

The means of attaching the power-receiving element to the device mightbe an adhesive, or might be some mechanical means such as a clip. Thepower receiving element could alternatively snap-fit on the device orslide on to it. The element may be removable or permanently attachedonce applied.

Yet another way of attaching the power-receiving element to the portableelectrical device is to have a rigid connection between thepower-receiving element and at least one of the power connectors. Inthis case, connection of that power connector or those power connectorsto the corresponding power connector(s) on the portable electricaldevice serves to attach the power-receiving element mechanically to thedevice without the need for any separate attaching means such asadhesive or a clip.

Another way of attaching the power-receiving element to the portableelectrical device is to form the power-receiving element as part of areplacement cover portion of the portable electrical device. Somedevices, such as mobile phones, have replaceable cover portions so thatthe user can change the appearance or “skin” of the device.

Optionally, the power-connector(s) may be attached to thepower-receiving element by a flexible connecting member, allowing thepower-connector(s) to be inserted and removed from the device'spower-input while the power-receiving element remains attached forconvenient future use. Preferably, the flexible connecting member alsoserves to connect the one or more power connectors electrically to thepower-receiving element.

In one embodiment the electrical connections (e.g. wires) extendingbetween the power-receiving element and power connectors are detachablefrom the power-receiving element and/or from the power connectors whenthe apparatus is not in use. This can enable the electrical connectionsand the power connectors to be removed to protect them from possibledamage whilst still leaving the power-receiving element attached.

By having the electrical connections detachable it is also possible tooffer a single design of power-receiving element but several differentdesigns of power connector (or power connector plus electricalconnection such as a flying lead) for use with different portableelectrical devices.

Optionally, the power-connector may itself incorporate a contact meanssimilar to the power-receiving input of the device, so that even when itis connected to the device, the device may still be plugged in to aconventional adaptor in a “pass-through” fashion.

The portable electrical device may have first connector means adapted toconnect to corresponding second connector means of external equipment.The first connector means provide the one or more corresponding powerconnectors of the portable electrical device, possibly together with oneor more further connectors for other purposes such as signal or datainput/output. In this case, the apparatus preferably further comprises:third connector means adapted to connect to the device's first connectormeans, the third connector means providing the power connector(s) of theapparatus; fourth connector means adapted to connect to the externalequipment's second connector means; and a pass-through connectionarrangement interconnecting at least one connector of the thirdconnector means and a corresponding connector of said fourth connectormeans.

The third and fourth connector means may be on opposite faces of a powerconnector unit or block so that the unit or block can be sandwichedbetween the external equipment (e.g. a car hands-free cradle for amobile phone) and the portable electrical device. It is not necessaryfor the pass-through connection arrangement to interconnect the powerconnectors of the third and fourth connector means, although this ispreferable to enable power to be supplied from the external equipmentwhen available. The pass-through connection arrangement could serve justto interconnect signal or data connectors of the third and fourthconnector means.

If the power received by the power-receiving means must bepower-conditioned before being passed to the device, thepower-conditioning circuitry may optionally be incorporated into thepower-receiving element or the power-connector.

Optionally, all parts of the invention, especially the adhesive, may besubstantially waterproof.

Optionally, the power-receiving element may be coloured and texturedsuch that, when adhered to the device, it appears to be a part of thedevice. Alternatively, or additionally, the power-receiving means maycarry text or pictures, for example a logo or advertising.

Optionally, the power-receiving element may include a substantiallytransparent pocket into which pictures and the like may be slid.

In another embodiment, a part of the power-receiving element which mustbe placed in proximity with the transmitter is marked or coloured orlabelled distinctively. In this way, the user can be informed of how toposition or orient the power-receiving element (attached to the portableelectrical device) relative to the transmitter so that power istransferred efficiently from the transmitter to the power-receivingelement.

Optionally, a power indicator may be provided, optionally in thepower-receiving element or the power-connector, to indicate when poweris being received and/or being passed to the device. The indicator mayproduce light (perhaps an LED or electroluminescent panel), sound orvibration.

Optionally, the power-receiving element may be applied inside the deviceinstead of outside, for example to the rear of the battery compartment.

Optionally, the power-connector may connect to internal power contactswithin the device, possibly to its batteries and/or battery contacts.

Preferably, the power-receiving element is substantially flat.Alternatively, but preferably in addition, the power-receiving elementis flexible. These features make it easy to attach the power-receivingelement to the portable electrical device at a suitable internal orexternal surface portion thereof. When the surface portion is aninternal one, having the power-receiving element substantially flatand/or flexible makes it possible to fit the element conveniently evenin confined spaces such as battery compartments. When the surfaceportion is external, these features make it possible to attach thepower-receiving element without significantly affecting the overallshape and/or ergonomics of the portable electrical device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is providedin combination a portable electrical device and wireless power receivingapparatus embodying the aforesaid first aspect of the present invention.

The following non-exhaustive list illustrates some examples of devicesthat can be enabled using the present invention. Possibilities are notlimited to those described below:

-   -   A mobile communication device, for example a radio, mobile        telephone or walkie-talkie;    -   A portable computing device, for example a personal digital        assistant or palmtop or laptop computer;    -   Portable entertainment devices, for example a music player, game        console or toy;    -   Personal care items, for example a toothbrush, shaver, hair        curler, hair rollers;    -   A portable imaging device, for example video recorder or camera;    -   Containers of contents that may require heating, for example        coffee mugs, plates, cooking pots, nail-polish and cosmetic        containers;    -   Consumer devices, for example torches, clocks and fans;    -   A battery-pack for insertion into any of the above;    -   A standard-sized battery cell;

In the case of unintelligent secondary devices such as a battery cell,some sophisticated charge-control means may also be necessary to meterinductive power to the cell and to deal with situations where multiplecells in a device have different charge states. Furthermore, it becomesmore important for the transmitter of power to be able to indicate a“charged” condition, since the secondary cell or battery may not beeasily visible when located inside another electrical device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided apower-receiving element in the form of a sticker adapted to be attachedadhesively to a surface portion of a portable electrical device, theelement being adapted to receive power wirelessly from a transmitter ofpower when the element and transmitter are in proximity with oneanother, and having connection means from which an electrical connectioncan be made to a power connector of the device.

By providing the power-receiving element in the form of a sticker theuser can readily retrofit the power-receiving element to the portableelectrical device.

For convenience of delivery and attachment, the sticker preferably has aremovable backing sheet on its adhesive side which is removed at thetime of attaching the element to the device.

The side of the sticker opposite its adhesive side may conform inappearance to surface portions of the portable electrical device thatwill be adjacent to that opposite side when the sticker is attached tothe device. This can enable the sticker-form power-receiving element tobe attached unobtrusively or invisibly to the outside of the portableelectrical device.

In another embodiment the sticker has, on its side opposite its adhesiveside, a substantially transparent pocket for carrying an insert. Theinsert may carry text or pictures, for example a logo or advertising.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda replacement cover portion for a portable electrical device, the coverportion carrying or incorporating a power-receiving element adapted toreceive power wirelessly from a transmitter of power when the elementand transmitter are in proximity with one another, and having connectionmeans from which an electrical connection can be made to a powerconnector of the device. Preferably, the replacement cover portion hassubstantially the same size and shape as the cover portion which itreplaces. Alternatively, the replacement cover portion may be thickerthan that which it replaces, or extend over the side of the portableelectrical device which houses the power connector, to allow theconnection means to connect to the power connector.

In one embodiment the replacement cover portion has a power connectorpart carrying one or more power connectors arranged to connect, when thereplacement cover portion is in place on the device, to one or morecorresponding power connectors of the portable electrical device.Preferably, the power connector part is connected rigidly orsemi-rigidly (e.g. resiliently) to the remaining parts of thereplacement cover portion so that fitting the replacement cover portionautomatically brings the one or more power connectors of the replacementcover portion into electrical connection with the one or morecorresponding power connectors of the portable electrical device.

In another embodiment, the replacement cover portion covers a batterycompartment of the portable electrical device and has one or morebattery connectors adapted to connect to one or more correspondingbattery connectors of the device and/or to terminals of one or morebatteries installed in the device. For example, the one or more batteryconnectors of the cover portion may be adapted to be interposed betweenthe battery terminals and the corresponding battery connectors of thedevice.

In another embodiment, the replacement cover portion covers a batterycompartment of the portable electrical device, and the cover portionfurther carries or incorporates at least one rechargeable battery. Whenthe replacement cover portion is in place on the device the battery isinstalled operatively in the battery compartment. The power-receivingelement is connected operatively to the battery for charging the batterywhen power is received wirelessly from the transmitter.

The replacement cover portion is, for example, a replacement coverportion for a handset of a mobile communications network.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of adapting a portable electrical device having no wirelesspower receiving capability to have such a capability, the methodcomprising: attaching a power-receiving element to the device, theelement being adapted to receive power wirelessly from a transmitter ofpower when the element and transmitter are in proximity with oneanother; and connecting one or more power connectors, which areconnected electrically to the element, to one or more correspondingpower connectors of the device so that power received by the element canbe delivered to the device.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an attachable means for receiving power, the means comprising:

-   -   i) a substantially flat power-receiving means of sufficiently        small dimensions that it can attach to an existing portable        device without significantly altering its ergonomics;    -   ii) a power connector capable of attaching to the power input of        an existing portable device; and    -   iii) a means of attaching part or all of the above to a portable        device.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how itmay be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way ofexample only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a shows a schematic side view of a portable electrical device anda first example of wireless power receiving apparatus embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 1 b is a schematic end view corresponding to FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 1 c is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 1 a;

FIGS. 2 a to 2 c are respective schematic side, end and plan views of aportable electrical device and a second example of wireless powerreceiving apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 h are respective schematic plan and side views of apower-receiving element embodying the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram of parts of circuitry included inapparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a power connector ofapparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a power-receiving elementin the form of a sticker according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a power-receiving elementaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of parts of a handset for usein a mobile communications network, a battery pack therefor and areplacement cover portion for the handset according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of the handset and batterypack of FIG. 8 and a replacement cover portion for the handset accordingto another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the handset of FIG. 8 anda replacement cover portion for the handset according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows parts of apparatus 150 according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention, and an example portable electrical device (mobilehandset) 100 with which the apparatus is used. As originallymanufactured the device has no wireless power receiving capability.

As shown in side view in FIG. 1 a the device 100 has a power-connector101 which in this case is a socket. The apparatus 150 comprises asubstantially flat power-receiving element 200, a layer of adhesive 201,a flexible connecting member (flexible wiring) 202 and a power-connector203 capable of being plugged-in to the device's power-connector 101.

FIGS. 1 b and 1 c show end and plan views of the arrangement of FIG. 1a. The rear face (underside) of the mobile device 100 is uppermost inFIG. 1 a, and it is to this face that the element 200 is attached.

FIGS. 2 a to 2 c shows corresponding views to those of FIGS. 1 a to 1 cbut for apparatus 160 according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention. In this case the device power connections (first connectormeans) 111 a,b are contact strips instead of a socket. These devicepower connections 111 a,b are adapted to connect to corresponding matingstrips (second connector means—not shown) of external equipment (notshown) such as a charger. A power connector unit 213 of the apparatushas corresponding mating strips (third connector means) 215 a,b on aninner face 214 thereof which make electrical contact with the device'spower connections 111 a,b. In addition, further connectors (fourthconnector means) 217 a,b are provided on an outer face 216 of the powerconnector unit 213 so that other equipment, for example an in-carhands-free unit or charger, having the second connector means may stillbe connected. These further connectors 217 a,b are connectedelectrically to the corresponding contacts 215 a,b by a pass-throughconnection arrangement incorporated into the power connector unit 213.The connectors 215 a,b and 217 a,b may include connectors used forpurposes other than power delivery, for example input/output of signalsand data.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show plan and side views respectively of one exampleof a substantially flat power-receiving element 200 for use inembodiments of the present invention. A magnetic core consists of sixstrips of amorphous metal 400 each measuring 50×30×0.02 mm, stacked.Around these is wound a coil 300, which could be for example of copperwire, tape, or a stamped or pressed metal. In this case, the coil passesaround the core 30 times, with a centre-tap, providing current to threeconnections 202 which connect to further circuitry described later withreference to FIG. 4. The entire element is readily flexible, which isuseful in making it conform to any non-flat part of the device to whichit is applied, and also makes it less fragile, since the entire elementcan be less than 0.2 mm thick.

Further information regarding the power-receiving element of the exampleshown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, and regarding further examples of suitablepower-receiving element is given in our patent publicationsWO-A-03/096361 and WO-A-03/096512, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference. Various designs of a transmitter ofwireless power suitable for use with the power-receiving element arealso disclosed in these patent publications.

FIG. 4 shows circuitry 450 capable of converting the alternating currentdelivered by the power receiving element into power suitable for use ina portable electronic device. A parallel-resonating capacitor 501 tunesthe coil, which allows increased power transfer. A value of 100's of nFis typical, depending on the exact core materials and coil construction,and therefore inductance. The alternating current is full-wave rectifiedby diodes 500. Schottky diodes with a forward voltage drop of 0.3Vprovide best performance. Capacitor 502 provides smoothing of the DC.The voltage at this point is unregulated, which may be sufficient tosend to subsequent electronics within the portable device, if it iscapable of taking such. Optional voltage regulator 503 limits thevoltage for devices which are not capable of taking an unregulatedsupply. This regulator may be a linear or switch mode type, and mayoptionally also contain other protection and system managementcircuitry. Optional indicator 504 indicates that power is beingreceived.

An alternative configuration to that shown in FIGS. 3 a, 3 b and 4 wouldbe to use a full bridge rectifier instead of diodes 500, removing theneed for the centre-tap, but increasing the total power loss. With thisconfiguration, the tuning capacitor may be parallel-resonant orseries-resonant.

FIG. 5 shows a detail view of one implementation of a power connector600. A barrel-shaped protrusion carries two conducting rings 601 and 602which mate with contacts within the power input socket of the portabledevice. The circuitry 450 of FIG. 4 is contained within the powerconnector, and the optional power indicator 504 is visible externally.Optionally the connector 600 is removable from an end 603 of theflexible wiring 202, allowing different power connectors to be fitted tosuit the particular device, each with the appropriate circuitry (powerelectronics) 450.

Alternatively, one end of the flexible wiring 202 could be removablefrom the power-receiving element 200 and the other end attachedpermanently to the power connector 600. This would allow the powerconnector 600 and flexible wiring 202 to be sold as one unit, and thepower-receiving element to be sold as another unit. Again, this wouldmake it possible to offer different versions of the power connector plusflexible wiring to work with different portable electrical devices,whilst offering only a single design of power-receiving element. Theremovable connections between the flexible wiring and the powerconnector and/or power-receiving element can be made by any suitableelectrical connection arrangement such as a plug and socket.

A preferred implementation of the present invention is illustratedschematically in FIG. 6. In this implementation, the power-receivingelement is in the form of a “sticker” 700. The element 700 has a layerof adhesive 702 on one surface 701 thereof. The element is supplied witha removable backing sheet 703 which protects the adhesive 702 prior toattachment of the element to the portable electrical device. The backingsheet 703 is peeled off by a user to expose the layer of adhesive 702 onsurface 701. After peeling off the backing sheet 703 the user simplypresses the power-receiving element on its adhesive side 702 to theportable electrical device.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a power-receiving elementin another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment thepower-receiving element 800 has, on its side 801 which will be visibleto a user when the element is attached to the device, a transparentpocket 802. An insert 803, for example a slip of paper or card, iscarried within the pocket 802. The insert may bear text or pictures, forexample a logo or advertising.

Another preferred implementation of apparatus embodying the presentinvention is in the form of a replacement cover portion of the portableelectrical device itself. There are several types of portable electricaldevice commercially available which have replaceable cover portions.Handsets for use in mobile communications networks made by several majormanufacturers are one example. Replacement cover portions for suchdevices can advantageously carry or incorporate at least thepower-receiving element of apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of such a handset 900. Thehandset 900 has a battery compartment 902 for holding a removablebattery pack 904. The removable battery pack 904 is, for example, arechargeable battery pack. The battery pack 904 has terminals (notshown) which connect to corresponding battery connectors 906 of thehandset 900 within the battery compartment 902 when the battery pack 904is installed in the battery compartment. The handset 900 also has apower connector 908 at a bottom end 910 thereof.

A replacement cover portion 950 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is adapted to be fitted to the handset 900. Thereplacement cover portion in this embodiment is a rear cover portion andcovers the battery compartment 902 of the handset 900 as well as otherparts thereof. The cover portion 950 has on its inner face orincorporated within it a power-receiving element 952. The element 952may, for example, be the same as the power-receiving element 200described hereinbefore. The cover portion 950 is designed to extend atone end 954 beyond the bottom end 910 of the handset 900. At the end 954the cover portion 950 has a power connector part 956 carrying one ormore power connectors 958. The power connector(s) is/are connected insome suitable way (not shown) to the power-receiving element 952, eitherdirectly or via power conditioning circuitry such as the circuitry 450of FIG. 4. The power connector(s) 958 is/are adapted to connect to thecorresponding power connector(s) of the handset power connector 908.This arrangement is convenient in that installation of the cover portion950 on the handset 900 automatically makes the required electricalconnections between the power-receiving element 952 and the powerconnector 908 of the handset. If necessary, the power connector part 956of the cover portion 950 may be connected semi-rigidly (e.g.resiliently) instead of rigidly to the remaining parts of the coverportion 950. This can make it easier for the power connector(s) 958 ofthe cover portion to be connected to the corresponding powerconnector(s) of the handset 900 when the cover portion is being fittedto the handset.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment in which the power-receiving element iscarried by or incorporated in a replacement cover portion. In FIG. 9, areplacement cover portion 1000 does not have the extended end 954 or thepower connector part 956 of the replacement cover portion 950 of FIG. 8.Instead, an internal power connector part 1002 is connected, preferablyvia power conditioning circuitry such as the circuitry 450 of FIG. 4, tothe power-receiving element 952. The connection may be made usingflexible wiring 1004. The power connector part 1002 is sufficiently thinto enable it to be interposed between the battery terminals of thebattery pack 904 and the power connectors 906 formed within the batterycompartment 902 of the handset 900. In a similar way to that describedpreviously with reference to FIG. 2, the power connector part 1002 has aset of contacts on both its main faces. The two sets of contacts areconnected together by a pass-through connection arrangement. Thisenables the power from the battery pack 904 to be supplied to the powerconnectors 906 when the power-receiving element is not receiving powerwirelessly from a transmitter.

FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment in which a replacement coverportion 1050 carries or incorporates a rechargeable battery pack 1054 inaddition to a power-receiving element 952. The electrical connectionsbetween the power receiving element 952 and the battery pack 1054 aremade by suitable means (not shown) incorporated in or carried by thecover portion 1050. The fitting of the replacement cover portion 1050 tothe handset 900 brings the battery terminals of the battery pack 1054into contact with the power connectors 906 of the handset 900.

The preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects ofthe invention and may be used in any possible combination.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words“comprise” and “contain” and variations of the words, for example“comprising” and “comprises”, mean “including but not limited to”, andare not intended to (and do not) exclude other components, integers,moieties, additives or steps.

The invention claimed is:
 1. Inductive power-receiving adapter for usewith a portable electrical device to enable the device to receive powerwirelessly by electromagnetic induction, the adapter comprising: aninductive power-receiving element adapted to receive power wirelessly byelectromagnetic induction from a transmitter of power when the elementand transmitter are in proximity with one another; a first adapterconnector for electrically connecting the inductive power-receivingelement to the portable electrical device to deliver power received bythe inductive power-receiving element to the portable electrical device;a second adapter connector for electrically connecting equipment to theinductive power-receiving adapter, said equipment being separate fromthe portable electrical device; and a pass-through connection forelectrically connecting the first adapter connector and the secondadapter connector, wherein the pass-through connection enables at leastone of: power delivery from the equipment to the portable electricaldevice through the inductive power-receiving adapter; and communicationbetween the equipment and the portable electrical device through theadapter.
 2. The inductive power-receiving adapter of claim 1, theequipment having a conventional adapter connector adapted to connect toeither a conventional adapter connector of the portable electricaldevice or the second adapter connector.
 3. The inductive power-receivingadapter of claim 1 wherein the pass-through connection interconnectsonly data connectors between the second adapter connector and the firstadapter connector.
 4. The inductive power-receiving adapter of claim 1wherein the pass-through connection interconnects data connectors andpower connectors between the second adapter connector and the firstadapter connector.
 5. The inductive power-receiving adapter of claim 1wherein the first adapter connector and the second adapter connector areon different faces of the inductive power-receiving adapter such thatthe inductive power-receiving adapter is sandwiched between theequipment and the portable electrical device when the inductivepower-receiving adapter is connected to the portable electrical deviceand the inductive power-receiving adapter is connected to the equipment.6. The inductive power-receiving adapter of claim 1 wherein theinductive power-receiving adapter mechanically attaches by sliding on tothe portable electrical device.
 7. The inductive power-receiving adapterof claim 1 wherein the equipment is a car hands-free cradle for a mobilephone.
 8. A method of adapting a portable electrical device with anequipment connector and no inductive power receiving capability to haveboth an equipment connector and inductive power receiving capability byinstalling an inductive power-receiving adapter, the method comprising:providing the inductive power-receiving adapter having an inductivepower-receiving element, a first adapter connector for electricallyconnecting the adapter to the portable electrical device, a secondadapter connector for electrically connecting the adapter to equipmentand a pass-through connection electrically connecting the first adapterconnector and the second adapter connector; attaching the inductivepower-receiving element to the portable electrical device, the elementbeing adapted to receive power wirelessly by electromagnetic inductionfrom a transmitter of power when the element and transmitter are inproximity with one another; and connecting the first adapter connectorto a power connector of the device so that power received by the elementcan be delivered to the device; connecting the second adapter connectorto an equipment connector of equipment, the equipment being separatefrom the portable electrical device; and providing a pass-throughconnection that enables at least one of: power delivery from theequipment through the adapter to the portable electrical device, andcommunication between the equipment and the portable electrical devicethrough the adapter.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the equipmentconnector is a conventional adapter connector adapted to connect toeither a conventional adapter connector of the portable electricaldevice or the second adapter connector.
 10. The method of claim 8wherein the pass-through connection interconnects data connectorsbetween the second adapter connector and the first adapter connector,and does not interconnect power connectors between the second adapterconnector and the first adapter connector.
 11. The method of claim 8wherein the pass-through connection interconnects data connectors andpower connectors between the second adapter connector and the firstadapter connector.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein the first adapterconnector and the second adapter connector are on different faces of theinductive power-receiving adapter such that the inductivepower-receiving adapter is sandwiched between the equipment and theportable electrical device when the inductive power-receiving adapter isconnected to the portable electrical device and the inductivepower-receiving adapter is connected to the equipment.
 13. The method ofclaim 8 wherein the inductive power-receiving adapter mechanicallyattaches by sliding on to the portable electrical device.
 14. The methodof claim 8 wherein the equipment is a car hands-free cradle for a mobilephone.
 15. Inductive power-receiving adapter for use with a portableelectrical device to enable the device to receive power wirelessly byelectromagnetic induction, the portable electrical device having aninput for connecting a conventional adapter, the inductivepower-receiving adapter comprising: an inductive power-receiving elementadapted to receive power wirelessly by electromagnetic induction from atransmitter of power when the element and transmitter are in proximitywith one another; a first adapter connector for electrically connectingthe inductive power-receiving element to the input of the portableelectrical device to deliver power received by the inductivepower-receiving element to the portable electrical device; a secondadapter connector for electrically connecting equipment to the inductivepower-receiving adapter, the equipment being separate from the portableelectrical device, wherein when the first adapter connector is connectedto the input of the portable electrical device, the equipment isconnectable to the second adapter connector to connect the equipment tothe portable electrical device in a pass-through fashion.
 16. Theinductive power-receiving adapter of claim 15, the equipment having aconventional adapter connector adapted to connect to either aconventional adapter connector of the portable electrical device or thesecond adapter connector.
 17. The inductive power-receiving adapter ofclaim 15 wherein the first adapter connector and the second adapterconnector are on different faces of the inductive power-receivingadapter such that the inductive power-receiving adapter is sandwichedbetween the equipment and the portable electrical device when theinductive power-receiving adapter is connected to the portableelectrical device and the inductive power-receiving adapter is connectedto the equipment.
 18. The inductive power-receiving adapter of claim 15wherein the inductive power-receiving adapter mechanically attaches bysliding on to the portable electrical device.
 19. The inductivepower-receiving adapter of claim 15 wherein the equipment is a carhands-free cradle for a mobile phone.